Bay Leaf Indian Brasserie

(212) 957-1818

49 W 56TH St
New York, NY 10019 40.764 -73.9785

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Clinton, Midtown

BAYLEAFNY.COM

Price:

$$

Last updated 8.07.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Food Delivery, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

Indian

What People Are Saying About Bay Leaf Indian Brasserie

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – This ambitious Indian "brasserie" in midtown is handsomely decorated, with bay windows, framed fabric art and an outdoor deck. The kitchen offers an interesting variety of dishes from all over India, with notes on the menu as to their origin. Careful preparation using olive oil and fresh ingredients has garnered Bay Leaf acclaim for dishes like green chili chicken with fresh curry leaves, tandoori chicken salad and Hyderabadi stuffed baby eggplant.

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Ordering a la carte can be expensive, but the lunch buffet is a terrific deal.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. Still, the food is very good and the service and atmosphere make for a very pleasant midtown experience.
  2. remarked to my hubby that we should definitely try this place since its decor was so nice, although one waiter did seem overly friendly.
  3. The atmosphere is great!
  4. From the classy decor to the warm staff to just some of the most flavorful foods I have been exposed to!
  5. Actually the decor was good but except that everything was pathetic.
  6. As an Indian with discerning taste and a real appreciation for Indian food done well in a comfortable setting with knowledgeable waiters and a detail oriented and professional management, the Bay Leaf delivers.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The tandoori lamb kabbab was tender, crispy, and flavorful, the chicken korma was nutty and rich, and the warm grated carrot pudding with the fig ice cream was a great, new experience for my palate!
drinks
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Especially, with some of their ice cold Indian beers (for my boyfriend) or a martini (me)!
  2. To complement my meal I had a very fresh mango and blood orange martini followed by traditional Indian beer (Kingfisher).
  3. The cocktail list is very extensive and chosing amongst all these delicious drinks was no easy task.
food quality
84.40999984741211% positive
  1. Good food, questionable service
  2. Fantastic lamb chops and kebabs; perfectly spiced and crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside.
  3. lovely lunch buffet with a large variety of fresh foods
  4. Best upscale Indian fare I have ever had AND the food preparations are not greasy!
  5. Americans/other be warned, the food might be a little too authentic for your tastes.
  6. The food was decent.
  7. Last but not least, the aam mousse (mango mousse) was the perfect finish to an absolutely delicious meal.
  8. We had an AWESOME meal.
  9. Always gracious hosts, food is reliably very good.
  10. The food was FABULOUS.
  11. The food was amazing--flavors that were SO unexpected and offbeat.
  12. went there expecting good food and good service.
  13. don't know what the other reviewers problem was exactly but we are all Indian and are well traveled so we know what good food and service are worldwide.
  14. Still, the food is very good and the service and atmosphere make for a very pleasant midtown experience.
  15. I've been to this place twice and both times I've walked away with a feeling of pure contentment over a wonderful meal.
  16. I'd never eaten good Indian food before so I went with a friend who lived there for a while.
  17. perfect blend of sweet and spice with the most tender strips of chicken - this dish is amazing.
  18. My boyfriend and I went on Valentine's Day partly because of all the great reviews here on Citysearch, but the food was expensive and not amazing, and the service was HORRIBLE.
  19. As an Indian with discerning taste and a real appreciation for Indian food done well in a comfortable setting with knowledgeable waiters and a detail oriented and professional management, the Bay Leaf delivers.
  20. We had a really weird waiter who refused to tell us what was in a certain dish and tried to discourage us from getting it so that he could persuade us to order more expensive dishes.
  21. The buffet selection was not that great, and the food tasted awful, ie tandoori chicken was oily, matar paneer had no paneer, and everything else was tasteless or salty.
  22. Overall, Bay Leaf is a must for those wanting to get a great taste for Indian cuisine!
  23. Impeccable spicy food and service is delightful.
  24. My friends and I had a great time and as a huge fan of Indian food I'm sure I will be making another visit to Bay Leaf very very soon!
  25. Absolutely charming restaurant with attentive, friendly wait staff and delicious Indian cuisine for a reasonable price.
  26. ... some of the best indian food i have sampled in my life
  27. Mostly important; the foods is yummy and not too greasy.
  28. The variety of dishes in the lunch buffet were unique and prepared very well - I should know I am a foodie in London the capital of fine Indian dining.
  29. The quality of the food left a lot to be desired (you could tell it had been lying around for a while) and the service was just awful.
  30. We sat back by their "tandoor" - cute, open clay ovens behind a huge glass front - and it was such a treat to watch them prepare some of their juicy meat dishes and fluffy "naans
  31. All the food are delicious.
  32. Anyway, the food was so bad, the taste was just wrong.
  33. We also had the tandoori lamb chops which were huge, tender and delicious; a great fish curry and and excellent saag paneer.
  34. The food is great, the waiters are great and friendly, the owners are wonderful people, and the restaurant itself is welcoming.
  35. This has to be the best Indian food I have ever had in my life (yes, I have had a lot).
  36. The food was great.
  37. We order a fish dish, which claimed to be a filet; however it tasted like something right out of the Hudson somebody went and paid some guy for fishing on the pier.
  38. Prices were reasonable but compared to the Indian places I have been eating at recently Bay Leaf is tops in terms of food and service.
  39. the service was terrible, the wait staff was laughing as they served our food which was extremely rude and something you just don't do.
  40. Our chicken wasn't cooked well and vegetable had some awful smell.
  41. also found that the staff was very helpful and friendly in guiding us, as we are still new to Indian food.
  42. Quality, authentic indian
  43. There wasn't much choice at the buffet, and two of the platters (tandori chicken and fish curry) were empty and both the lamb and the chicken used in the other dishes I tried were of poor quality.
  44. Best chicken tikka masala I have ever had!
  45. Everything was fresh and tasty.
  46. The cocktail list is very extensive and chosing amongst all these delicious drinks was no easy task.
  47. Everything was wonderful, the food, the service the abivance.
  48. Too many all star chefs out there trying to compete not enough reliable good food.
  49. If you're going for just the food, it's a decent place.
  50. We ordered a vegetarian dish, which was actually pretty good - the only saving grace.
  51. particularly liked this almond and saffron lamb dish we had.
  52. Given the quality of the food, the price was reasonable.
  53. We finally had a chance to visit Bay Leaf the other night and I have to say that they have the best chicken tikka masala in the world!
  54. The prices are the best for the food you receive.
  55. To complement my meal I had a very fresh mango and blood orange martini followed by traditional Indian beer (Kingfisher).
  56. We really enjoy the food there but are perplexed as to why we are never seated in the front section which is nicer.
  57. Had a mediocre but pricey meal.
  58. The starters were delightful and I highly recommend both the bhel poori (a puffed rice with fresh herbs) and the hosht kabab (lamb skewer).
  59. If tasty, well spiced Indian is what you look for then BL is the spot.
  60. We had several birthdays there and was able to sample a vareity of dishes all which was wonderful.
  61. The tandoori lamb kabbab was tender, crispy, and flavorful, the chicken korma was nutty and rich, and the warm grated carrot pudding with the fig ice cream was a great, new experience for my palate!
  62. The adraki chaap (rack of lamb), the grilled shrimps (absolutely masive) and the saag paneer (cheese and spinach) were absolutely delicious.
menu variety
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. The staff is very pleasant and helpful in suggesting menu options.
  2. lovely lunch buffet with a large variety of fresh foods
  3. The cocktail list is very extensive and chosing amongst all these delicious drinks was no easy task.
  4. The buffet selection was not that great, and the food tasted awful, ie tandoori chicken was oily, matar paneer had no paneer, and everything else was tasteless or salty.
  5. The variety of dishes in the lunch buffet were unique and prepared very well - I should know I am a foodie in London the capital of fine Indian dining.
  6. The service was really good too, our server made us a house chai that was not on the menu even though we could tell that he was really busy.
  7. The service was very helpful and friendly and the cocktail list was very extensive.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. had a take out, and it seemed to be a nice place at first.
  2. The food is great, the waiters are great and friendly, the owners are wonderful people, and the restaurant itself is welcoming.
service
80.95000267028809% positive
  1. Good food, questionable service
  2. Impeccable spicy food and service is delightful.
  3. The staff was friendly, if a bit unattentive.
  4. The hosttes was friendly and not pusshy.
  5. the service was terrible, the wait staff was laughing as they served our food which was extremely rude and something you just don't do.
  6. The servers were extremely nice, and the prices were reasonable.
  7. The hostess always has a beautiful smile and enjoys greeting us.
  8. The service was poor.
  9. My boyfriend and I went on Valentine's Day partly because of all the great reviews here on Citysearch, but the food was expensive and not amazing, and the service was HORRIBLE.
  10. From the classy decor to the warm staff to just some of the most flavorful foods I have been exposed to!
  11. Bay Leaf did just that for my wife and I last week, as their staff was incredibly helpful and gracious.
  12. Everything was wonderful, the food, the service the abivance.
  13. also found that the staff was very helpful and friendly in guiding us, as we are still new to Indian food.
  14. They had great service, our server was friendly, and the manager intoduced himself and had some helpful advice as to some notable attractions.
  15. The quality of the food left a lot to be desired (you could tell it had been lying around for a while) and the service was just awful.
  16. Prices were reasonable but compared to the Indian places I have been eating at recently Bay Leaf is tops in terms of food and service.
  17. Good for small parties and groups; good service; best indian in city
  18. The service was extremely friendly and helpful.
  19. But the waiters and the host at this restaurant was horrible.
  20. We had a really weird waiter who refused to tell us what was in a certain dish and tried to discourage us from getting it so that he could persuade us to order more expensive dishes.
  21. The service was really good too, our server made us a house chai that was not on the menu even though we could tell that he was really busy.
  22. The service, however, sucked!
  23. Still, the food is very good and the service and atmosphere make for a very pleasant midtown experience.
  24. went there expecting good food and good service.
  25. The food is great, the waiters are great and friendly, the owners are wonderful people, and the restaurant itself is welcoming.
  26. Absolutely charming restaurant with attentive, friendly wait staff and delicious Indian cuisine for a reasonable price.
  27. The place was packed, the service was spot on, and the manager even came by many times to make sure everything was perfect.
  28. The service was very helpful and friendly and the cocktail list was very extensive.
  29. the service is attentive and kind.
  30. As an Indian with discerning taste and a real appreciation for Indian food done well in a comfortable setting with knowledgeable waiters and a detail oriented and professional management, the Bay Leaf delivers.
  31. remarked to my hubby that we should definitely try this place since its decor was so nice, although one waiter did seem overly friendly.
  32. don't know what the other reviewers problem was exactly but we are all Indian and are well traveled so we know what good food and service are worldwide.
  33. ... and i must say, the staff there was so warm, so gracious and they really make you feel like you are dining in their home
  34. The staff is very pleasant and helpful in suggesting menu options.
  35. Great Food, good service
value
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. We also had the tandoori lamb chops which were huge, tender and delicious; a great fish curry and and excellent saag paneer.
  2. We had a really weird waiter who refused to tell us what was in a certain dish and tried to discourage us from getting it so that he could persuade us to order more expensive dishes.
  3. The prices are the best for the food you receive.
  4. Given the quality of the food, the price was reasonable.
  5. We sat back by their "tandoor" - cute, open clay ovens behind a huge glass front - and it was such a treat to watch them prepare some of their juicy meat dishes and fluffy "naans
  6. My friends and I had a great time and as a huge fan of Indian food I'm sure I will be making another visit to Bay Leaf very very soon!
  7. My boyfriend and I went on Valentine's Day partly because of all the great reviews here on Citysearch, but the food was expensive and not amazing, and the service was HORRIBLE.
  8. Absolutely charming restaurant with attentive, friendly wait staff and delicious Indian cuisine for a reasonable price.
  9. Had a mediocre but pricey meal.
  10. The servers were extremely nice, and the prices were reasonable.
  11. would not recommend the buffet here, and there are countless other restaurants that have a better buffet for half the price.
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Combine the perfect amount of mirchi and spices, awesome dal makhani and the best paratha I've eaten in a long time with with an ice cold Kingfisher and you're in heaven.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/24/11

upscale, but affordable

by sandy new york

BAY LEAF was a great find for us !

we were looking for something that was refined, yet affordable. and it seems in NY that is hard to come by, as either restaurants are too expensive and refined or affordable but not refined.

we sampled their 3-course special which was 35 each. not bad at all. we shared 2 specials and sampled some great dishes including their chicken tikka masala (wow btw!!), creamed spinach, lamb skewers, lentil cakes, mango mousse and a homemade fig & walnut gelato. a lot of food !! we even had a few of their specialty cocktails, some of which were lightly spiced and totally delicious !!

my girlfriend and i definitely plan to come back here !

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/20/09

Fantastic!!!

by luisblondet

Having spent a considerable amount of time in both the UK and India I was delighted to find Bay Leaf. The food was exceptional and by far the most authentic I've had in NYC. The service was very helpful and friendly and the cocktail list was very extensive. I love sharing and Indian food really lends itself for this - I highly recommend you let the waiters serve the food on to your plate!

The starters were delightful and I highly recommend both the bhel poori (a puffed rice with fresh herbs) and the hosht kabab (lamb skewer). Just when I thought things could not get any better, the main course arrived. The adraki chaap (rack of lamb), the grilled shrimps (absolutely masive) and the saag paneer (cheese and spinach) were absolutely delicious.

To complement my meal I had a very fresh mango and blood orange martini followed by traditional Indian beer (Kingfisher). The cocktail list is very extensive and chosing amongst all these delicious drinks was no easy task.

Last but not least, the aam mousse (mango mousse) was the perfect finish to an absolutely delicious meal.

My friends and I had a great time and as a huge fan of Indian food I'm sure I will be making another visit to Bay Leaf very very soon!!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/09/09

Not real Indian food

by foodlover0

Where to start... Don't go into this restaurant if you've ever had any actual Indian cuisine. I had the Thali which I will warn you is a big no-no. There were so many restrictions... it came with 2 meats but I was not allowed to pick which ones. I guess whatever they had extras of you received, but I decided maybe that's how this restaurant was. I forgot to mention also asking for water multiple times which they will not give you unless they have a confirmed order from you. Upon placing our order the waiter disappears. No where to be seen for the next 15 minutes.

In the meanwhile the bus boy finally gets s some water and Papdum with some sauves. Be aware do not eat the green one thinking it?s actually edible. It?s a vinegar concoction.

For appetizers we ordered Tandoori Quails. Which I have to admit were delectable.

The Thali arrives and the disappointments continue! They had given me lamb curry which was undercooked and mostly had fat on it. Chicken tikka masala in which they put sugar instead of salt (same for the chick peas and the yogurt). The dal was the only good thing in the Thali. I forgot to mention the samosa that came with the Thali which was filled with nothing but oil! It was the most atrocious thing I?ve ever tasted.

If you still want to go be my guest but please don?t let this place represent Indian food for you.

  • Pros: Drinks and dessert
  • Cons: Food and Service
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/24/08

My First Expereince...

by brucegoss

I'd never eaten good Indian food before so I went with a friend who lived there for a while. She was kind enough to order for me as she knew what I liked. Boy was it good. I'd eat Indian food anyday if it always tasted this good. Their dal mahkni is good. Nice flavor, not overcooked to death, just great! . I'd recommend this place to anyone.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/02/08

a nice mid-town find

by madmax64

It's hard to get seated in the bay window that gives the name to the restaurant, naturally. Still, the food is very good and the service and atmosphere make for a very pleasant midtown experience. Try their saffron ice cream, sounds weird but it's a delicacy!

The Details on Bay Leaf Indian Brasserie

Place Categories:

  • good impeccable spicy food
  • friendly wait staff
  • best indian food
  • tasteless everything
  • reasonable prices
  • sucked service
  • really weird waiters
  • mediocre meal
  • love place
  • favorite restaurant
  • best upscale indian
  • fantastic tandoori lamb chops
  • extremely nice server
  • absolutely delicious saag paneer
  • small bathrooms
  • comfortable setting
  • not pusshy hosttes
  • amazing perfect blend
  • wonderful expensive dishes
  • nice decor
  • unique variety
  • great host
  • cold naan
  • best paratha
  • good questionable service
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement